I enjoyed the initial third's baseline of sweet and creaminess the most. Past the first third, the Drew Estate Undercrown El Tigre Dominicano Corona Viva became a bit more stale and highlighted bitterness in minerals and oak wood. Overall, it's not a flavor profile that I enjoy but I can see others enjoying this style of cigar.
The Drew Estate Nica Rustica Shade Toro has an enjoyable flavor profile from start to finish that has a nice level of complexity, and while there may not be a lot of transition and depth, the cigar is very affordable. This is a cigar I would come back to in the future, and it is a cigar I would recommend and hand out to many smokers. This is a nostalgic cigar in the sense that it reminds me of cigars I smoked not early on in my cigar smoking experience, but near the beginning. Affordable, good and share worthy.
The Drew Estate Blackened S84 Shade to Black Toro had an average flavor profile that matches up with the experience with the Robusto last year. Smoking the cigar now did show the construction paper note not being present, but that didn't improve the cigar as a whole. Still a pretty average Connecticut shade offering that I wouldn't see myself returning to.
The Deadwood Dominicana Robusto had a nice start with a good combination of flavors and a sweetness that wasn't too overpowering. The sweetness mellowed as the cigar went along and the profile dropped a level in the second third as the pepper waned. The profile remained at average for the rest of the cigar. I'd really like to smoke this without the sweetened cap just to get a feel for the tobacco profile on its own, but as it sits, it's likely not a cigar that I'd return to.
I love the Drew Estate Blackened S84 Shade to Black Robusto. This is a great Connecticut release, and one with a fantastic price too. Great flavors with a nice strength and body level. You really can’t ask for more from a Connecticut of this nature. It’s not intended to be super elegant like some Connecticut releases, but just really good at a great price.
The Drew Estate Liga Privada Unico Serie Pancetta 2023 delivered medium-full flavor intensity through most of the review experience, with interesting and engaging flavor combinations. Both the burn and the draw were perfect through the review. Given the exclusive nature of the cigar, the price point is quite reasonable and this is something I would happily return to in the future.
Early on in FQ1 of reviews, looks like I already found my bang for the buck cigar of the year with this Drew Estate Chateau Real Crystale Deluxe. I have fond memories of the original Chateau Real from my early days of cigar smoking. I'm happy to say this re-release did not disappoint and actually was a nice delight to smoke. Well done team DE.
This Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo Papas Fritas is a fun smoke that delivers a ton for what it is and how cheap it is. I loved the profile though, I can see some not caring for it, and I think the vitola is great. It is small enough to deliver the flavors of this blend and not have it become too much or monotonous. I have smoked a handful of these, and they are all great.
Celebrity backed brands like this are rarely something that I get excited about. Most of the time, the celebrity doesn't know a damn thing about what a good cigar/product at hand is. I can confidently say that the Blackened by Drew Estate M81 Robusto isn't in that scenario at all. Deliciously bold with earthiness, yet balanced with softer flavors. Nicely done.
The Drew Estate Nica Rustica Adobe Robusto had a solid first third with flavors at times reminding me of baked goods like a scone, but it couldn't maintain that level of complexity through the second and last thirds. While not unpleasant, it just didn't manage the same level of engagement. Would I smoke this again? Normally based on the score I'd say no, but the price point is absurdly approachable so I'd likely smoke these again based on price point alone.